Romans chapter 8 is one of the greatest if not the greatest chapter in the entire Bible because of what it tells us about the eternal plan of God, the finished work of Jesus Christ, and the endless power of the Holy Spirit.

You’ll hear parts of this chapter read at funerals. It’s quoted when catastrophe strikes. We turn to these verses for hope and comfort. You see them stenciled on living room walls, quoted in speeches, mentioned in cards, and tattooed on people’s bodies.

As we’ve noted before, in all 39 verses of this chapter, you won’t find one single command. No imperatives anywhere. But that doesn’t mean there is nothing for us to do. There is. We’re presented with rich, deep, powerful promises to embrace. We see truths to ponder. Realities to grasp. Divine pledges to fill our hearts with.

Earlier in chapter seven, Paul reminded us that “we died to the law so that we can belong to another.” That other is Jesus. United to Him, we can bear fruit and serve God in the new way of the Spirit. That’s marriage language. Jesus is our groom. We’re his bride. Maybe that’s the best way to understand this covenant-highlighting passage.

Imagine Jesus standing beside you at a wedding altar. You’re an unsure spouse who doubts the love of her future groom. Why? Because you know enough about yourself to remember you are fickle, weak, and broken. Can He truly love someone like you? Will He change His mind about you?

Imagine Jesus reciting these vows to you: “You are mine. FOREVER. No prenups. No conditions. No re-evaluations in 90 days. You and me forever. No questions asked. I love you.”

I’ve officiated at a dozen or so weddings. I’ve heard many vows recited. They never include commands. I’ve never heard, “You will submit to me. You will obey me. You will respect me. You will honor me—or else.” No. Vows are declarations. Promises. That’s why we call them vows. No conditions. “For better or for worse. Til death do us part. For richer or for poorer. In sickness and in health. I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours.”

When Christ, who is truth incarnate makes a promise, He won’t break it. He can’t break it. That promise was signed in His own precious blood. He sent His Spirit to seal that promise. You are as secure as you could ever possibly be. You’re in His hands!

I recently saw a social media post where a husband honored and thanked his wife on their 15th year anniversary. He wrote:

“15 years ago today I was burning brush and gasoline exploded, covering 12% of my body with 2nd and 3rd-degree burns. Carrie and I were 56 days from our wedding. I told her I understood if she didn’t want to marry me anymore. She sent wedding invitations from the Burn Center ICU."

The post included a picture of his face from the burn ward. It was damaged significantly. What was he saying? “My wife loved me no matter what. She did not leave me. My facial trauma served only to deepen her love for me and move her to pledge love to me by expediting our wedding invitations.”

God’s first pledge to us in Romans 8 is a declaration of no guilt. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” —Romans 8:1–2

The whole chapter is one big assurance sandwich. It begins with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation.” What’s that mean? First, it means we are free from the penalty of sin. “Not guilty” has been written over our life. We’ve been acquitted. We are now righteous in God’s sight. Until that reality sticks, we’ll be fighting with our hands tied behind our back. Later, Paul will call us to put our sins to death by the Spirit. Forgiven sins are the only sins we can kill.

Order matters. That’s why Paul begins this chapter with the promise that judgment day is over for us. It happened 2,000 years ago on the Cross. Jesus traded places with us. No condemnation. Not now. Not ever.

If we’re in Christ, that’s our promise. We’ve been forgiven. And we’re being changed. Shackles lie at our feet. We see the Spirit of God at work inside of us.

Jesus’ death released us from the penalty of sin; his resurrection life (through the Spirit) releases us from the power of sin. We’re forgiven and we’re free. We’re not guilty. We’re not empty. Free of guilt and full of God!

Order matters. A moment in the life of Jesus shows us what Paul is talking about. In John chapter 8, the religious leaders bring an adulterous woman to Jesus. They placed her before Jesus and leveled the accusation at her, just like Hester Prynn in The Scarlet Letter was placed before all the religious leaders.

The woman was caught “in the act” of adultery. No excuses. Where was the man? That’s another blog for another day. They wanted this woman. She “stood” accused.

The pharisees, representing the embodiment of the Law, accused her. They sought to condemn her, too. The irony! Jesus is the only one who has the right to condemn, and He is the only one who doesn’t. After sending her accusers away, Jesus said to her:

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (vs. 10–11).

Hear the order there? First the promise, “No condemnation.” Then the command “Go and sin no more.” We often turn that order on its head. That’s a mistake. That’s bad theology. That’s dangerous. We don’t work toward the promise. We work from the

promise. That’s assurance. Jesus is saying, “The power this sin once had over you is now broken. So go. But know this: you are not going alone. I’m going with you.”

The Scribes and Pharisees left condemned. They left accused. They left ashamed. They left convicted. But not her. She left free. She left, and I’m guessing she had a smile on her face and a song in her heart. No condemnation is the heart of the gospel.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned” —John 3:17–18.

Here’s the point both Paul and Jesus are making. Our justification is the basis and starting point for our sanctification. We must be assured of acceptance with God before we can grow. That’s why Paul begins with the promise of no guilt. Full pardon. Then he transitions into no more bondage. We’re free of the guilt of sin and we’re being freed from the power of sin. It’s been broken. We need to hear that promise!

As Rankin Wilbourne says, “God doesn’t love you to the degree that you are like Christ. He loves you to the degree that you are in Christ and that is always 100%.”

No condemnation. The ‘no’ is emphatic. There is none. There will never be any. Not now. Not ever. The verdict has been rendered: Not guilty; righteous. All sins are forgiven. All guilt removed. All punishment averted. Because of Christ. You are covered! No accusation can get at you. God has no judgment left for us.

Our hearts condemn us all the time. We need this reminder. We are covered. We are hidden. We are safe. We are accepted. So stop living like a fugitive. Don’t go into hiding —in the shadows. Come out of the courtroom and walk in the light. You are a forgiven child of the King with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereunto. You belong to Jesus. And He belongs to you—forever.

I Jesus, take thee sinner, to be mine forever.

As Charles Wesley wrote, “He breaks the power of cancelled sin. He sets the prisoner free.” So come to Jesus and be pardoned. Or, if you are already in Christ, let this reminder sink deep into your heart. Bask in your freedom!

You may ask: Who am I to accept such an offer like this? I see your point. But then again, who are you to refuse...?